Light sits across from L at the table as they eat breakfast. They'd just been discussing what Rem had said to Light yesterday night about this potential new Kira, and Light can't stop worrying about it. L, too, seems to be a little rattled.

"We don't know if that damn shinigami has already found someone or not, that's the thing," Light complains with a sigh, shoving a forkful of pancake into his mouth. "So we have absolutely no information to go on. All we know is that this shinigami – Ryuk – is planning to give another Death Note to somebody. We don't even know where they will be."

L is quiet, staring at his food rather than eating it. Light can tell that he's lost in thought. He reaches across the table and takes L's hand in his own, catching the detective's attention.

"Hey, are you okay?" Light asks him, squeezing his hand.

"Yes, Light-kun..." L answers, but something still feels off about that answer. L sighs then, averting his gaze away from Light completely. "I just... I thought we had finally seen the last of 'Kira'. After all we went through, I guess I am just a little disappointed that it isn't over yet."

"Me too," Light replies tiredly. Kira – Taro Kagami, more specifically – put them both through so much; L had been kidnapped and had even died, and Light could've lost him for good if it weren't for the eraser.

Plus, Light's own life was nearly completely ruined because of Taro trying to frame him for everything. Light could've been sent to prison or even executed for all of those murders that he'd never committed. It's just a little unfair that they finally took down Kira and Beyond Birthday, only to get a single year of relief before it all will start going to hell again. And now they don't even know where this supposed new Kira will be. They know nothing. Light hopes that Rem can be of some use, but even she doesn't seem to know all that much. It makes sense, with her sticking close to Light and all. But if he relinquishes the Death Note to set Rem free, he will forget so much, and that will be very problematic.

So for now, Light guesses they just have to wait. It's frustrating, but there's quite literally nothing else that they can do. Soon, the internet and news will flood with stories of 'coincidental' heart attack deaths all happening around the same time, and then all L and Light have to do is figure out where exactly people are dying first, and then that will help them roughly discover where Kira is operating from.

...But unfortunately that means that they have to wait for a couple of people to die first, which isn't ideal, but it's not like they can exactly do anything about that when they know nothing.

"We will be okay, though," Light says, and he gives L a reassuring smile. L tries to smile back, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Light leans forward and brings L's knuckles to his lips, giving them a kiss before he releases the man to go back to his breakfast.

"I'm not exactly worried about us, per se," L murmurs after a moment or two. "Although that is a slight concern of mine as well – that we won't be able to work together properly without maybe a couple of issues here and there."

"We've done it before," Light tells him dismissively. "We can do it again. And if we do come across any problems with our relationship, we will get through it. We always do."

L hums. "Yes, you are right about that. Well... the main thing on my mind is that this new Kira might want to take revenge against you for what you did to the previous Kira. You were his main obsession, and then you took him down. Surely this new Kira will not be very happy with you."

Light frowns at that. "Nothing is going to happen to me," he insists, mostly for L's sake though, since it does worry him a bit too, now that L mentions it. "This new Kira probably won't know my name or even what I look like. They won't be able to touch me."

"I really do hope you are right about that too, Light-kun," L says, and he doesn't look any less worried.

—

It's around three in the morning when the main phone in L and Light's place goes off. L is still up on his computer, doing some work beside Light, who was asleep but has now been rudely awakened. He groans, dragging his hand over his face. L gently touches his shoulder but isn't looking at him, typing with only his right hand on the laptop, eyes glued to the screen.

"Light-kun, would you mind getting the phone, please?" he asks, and Light sighs deeply before throwing back the blankets and getting up. He pulls on a pair of boxers so that he isn't walking through the house naked, bends to kiss L on the cheek, and then heads out into the living room.

The phone is still unfortunately ringing, so Light reaches for it and puts it to his ear, eyes half closed. "Who is it?" he mumbles, yawning. "It's three o'clock in the morning, so this better be important."

"Light, it's me," comes the voice of his father, Soichiro on the other end. This surprises Light, and he suddenly understands why he's calling so late – it's about eleven in the morning there in Japan.

"Oh, hey Dad," Light greets him, leaning against the wall by the telephone base. "What's up?"

"I know it's late there and I'm sorry, but there's something important I need to talk to you about." He sounds worried, and it makes Light wake up a little more. "Is L there with you?"

"Yeah, he's just in the other room," Light tells him, keeping it vague. His father may know that they're together, but Light still feels the need to be secretive about their relationship. He supposes that old habits die hard. "Why? What's going on?"

"Light, I don't know how to say this..." Soichiro begins, and just then, L comes shuffling out of the bedroom, looking at Light with curious and worried eyes.

"What's wrong, Light-kun?"

Light holds his index finger up to tell L to wait without speaking, trying to listen to his father's words.

"What is it, Dad?"

"I think... I think Kira may be back."

Light's blood runs cold. 'Already?' he can't help but to think. It's definitely too soon.

L is suddenly by his side, concerned. "Light-kun... what is he saying?" he demands to know, touching Light's shoulder. Light glances at L, his heart pounding.

"There's been reports..." he begins, exhaling shakily, "Reports of... unexplained heart attacks, happening all around the same time. The news is warning people in Japan that Kira could be back already..."

L frowns, turning his head away from Light in thought.

"So it's happening already," he mutters, seemingly to himself. He glances back at Light, who is only just now getting off the phone with Soichiro, promising to call him later. "Light-kun, I think..."

"Yeah," Light interrupts knowingly. "We have to go back to Japan."

—

soooo uhhhh it's been 3 years since i updated, sorry !!! i just suddenly got in the mood to work on this a little and give u guys a new chapter after seeing how many people still read and comment on light and dark :D it's not super long – only like 1.2K words – but i hope it will suffice for now ! i'll have you know i stopped working on my fullmetal alchemist fic for this, if u even care (T⌓T) hehe.

anyways, i love u guys and thank u for being so patient with me !!!! <3 (◍•ᴗ•◍)